Creme brulee is no ordinary dessert. Yes, it is a dessert and it is one of the oldest dessert recipes that we have.
Creme brulee is very old in fact, the word ancient would be better suited. The version of creme brulee we see everywhere today might not be the replica of the original recipe, but the inspiration was gotten from the recipe. So, what makes creme brulee so good that it is still being made by people in the 21st century?
What does creme brulee taste like? Creme brulee is sweet; a sweetness that is not too overpowering. The flavor of creme brulee varies, it is wholly dependent on the preference of whoever is making it. The traditional creme brulee tastes like a mash-up of vanilla and caramel because those are the two dominant flavors in it.
In more recent times, the ingredients of creme have changed and people are using other food items like coffee, lemon, butterscotch, and cinnamon to give it a more unique flavor.
Whenever you decide to give creme brulee a try if it doesn’t taste like anything described above, it means you are having a creme brulee that has not been made with the traditional ingredients.
Nutritional Benefits of Creme Brulee
Creme brulee packs a lot of nutrients and minerals that have great benefits to the human body. In the grand scheme of things, creme brulee can protect your liver and keep your body safe from infections. It plays host to a lot of micronutrients; vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 acids.
Vitamin A is important to the body, it helps the body to absorb iron, and helps to reduce macular degeneration in eyesight. The absorption of iron is important to the creation of energy and the specialization of cells in the body. A regular serving of creme brulee offers 101 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin A.
It is also a good source of vitamin B12 which is vital to the proper functioning of the immune system, reduction of fatigue, and cell division. The list of vitamins that creme brulee can provide is not done yet. Biotin (vitamin B7) reduces the risk of cancer, contributes to the creation of energy, and balanced mental health just like B12 does, can be found in creme brulee. From a regular serving, you can get 40 percent of the RDA for B12, and 27 percent for B7.
It is also a good source of Iodine, choline, and phytochemicals; Lutein, and zeaxanthin. These two top phytochemicals protect the eyes from damage and help to improve memory and cognitive abilities even at an old age. The presence of choline in creme brulee is what makes it beneficial to the liver. It facilitates the processing of fats in the body, which could also be beneficial to heart health.
Culinary Uses of Creme Brulee
In coffee, creme brulee is perfect! Instead of sticking to the regular creme brulee that uses eggs, milk, vanilla, and burnt sugar, you can use those basic ingredients and mix them with other flavors of your choice.
You can even swap out any of these ingredients and make a unique variant of the creme brulee. The caramel from creme brulee comes from burnt sugar. The process is quite delicate and you would need a blow torch.
The custard used in creme brulee is already completely cooked, but it needs to be cooled down. The custard acts as the base of this dessert. Granulated sugar is then spread on top of the custard base. Then, you caramelize the sugar using the blowtorch.
The torch is hot enough to caramelize the sugar because it is direct heat, but it doesn’t cook the custard any further. The caramelized sugar creates a contrast to the custard. It is hard, crunchy, and warm, while the custard is soft, smooth, and chilled.
The process of making creme brulee is delicate and requires attention from start to finish. However, you can enjoy it in any way possible. You add a dash of lemon, for a tangy flavor, incorporating fruits like berries or nuts. Creme brulee is one very flexible dessert.
That Skinny Chick Can Bake shares one of the best Crème Brûlée recipes that is certainly worth checking out!
What is the Origin of Creme Brulee? How to Procure It?
Creme brulee has French origins, the name is derived from the French words “Krem Bru Lei” which means burnt cream. Creme brulee is also known as burnt cream, crema catalina, or trinity cream. The recipe for creme brulee is very ancient, it has been around since the late 1660s, to be more precise; 1691.
Creme brulee has found its way to the dining tables of rulers and royals. In 1691, it appeared in the cookbook called “Le Cuisinier Roial et Bourgeois” which translates into, the chef that declares himself royalty.
Creme brulee is very popular, it can be found in many households and restaurants across the states.
Is Creme Brulee Fancy?
Creme brulee might be served in fancy restaurants, the theatrical preparation that accompanies how it is served is almost comical, but there is nothing fancy about creme brulee. You can make it ahead of time and add the caramelized sugar when you are ready to eat it. The ingredients required are simple and the preparation is likewise simple.
Facts That You Don’t Know About Creme Brulee
- Creme brulee is not supposed to be bitter, but you can have a faint taste of bitterness because of the caramelized sugar you have in there.
- If you overheat the eggs when you are making your creme brulee, you might end up having something that tastes like sweet scrambled eggs.